Table 1 Example of items from the Sense of Coherence scale 13-item version (SOC-13), its sub-dimensions and coding

1

ME

Rev

Do you have the feeling that you don’t really care about what goes on around you?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Seldom or never

Very often

2

CO

Rev

Has it happened in the past that you were surprised by the behavior of people whom you thought you knew well?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Never happened

Always happened

3

MA

Rev

Has it happened that people whom you counted on disappointed you?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Never happened

Always happened

4

ME

Until now your life has had:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

No clear goals or purpose at all

Very clear goals and purpose

8

CO

Do you have very mixed-up feelings and ideas?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Very often

Very seldom or never

10

MA

Rev

Many people—even those with a strong character— sometimes feel like sad sacks (losers) in certain situations. How often have you felt this way in the past?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Never

Very often

11

CO

When something happened, have you generally found that:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

You overestimated or underestimated its importance

You saw things in the right proportion